NEWARK, N.J. -- The staff members of the Green Party of the United States have taken the historic step of joining a union.

"This may be the first time that people who work for a national political party in the U.S. have organized," said David Doonan, one of members of the union.

On Tuesday, July 11, the Steering Committee of the Green Party was notified by the staff of their decision. The Green Party is holding their Annual National Meeting this week in Newark, New Jersey.

According to a statement released by Green Party staff, "The staff members of the Green Party of the United States have decided to create a revolutionary, self-declared union, affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World… By joining a union, the staff, and by association, the Green Party of the United States, is placing itself firmly on the side of the working class and those most disadvantaged by the two-party duopoly of 21st century capitalism.

"This politically motivated decision is an extension of the Green Party’s long-standing pledge not to accept corporate funding. By joining the IWW, we’ve chosen to stand beside rank & file workers rather than accept the corrupt leadership of most of the labor movement that has more in common with the two-party duopoly than those they’ve been elected to represent."

"I am prouder than ever to have thrown my hat in the ring with a party that not only talks about supporting unions but now has a staff that has actually unionized in affiliation with IWW," said Seth Kaper-Dale, Green candidate for Governor of New Jersey ( http://www.kaperdaleforgovernor.com ). "If we're going to talk the talk we've got to walk the walk. By the people for the people!"